Cupola charging apparatus



March 28, 1950 Filed April 10, 1948 F. H. FONES CUPOLA CHARGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 1 March 28, 1950 F. H. FONES CUPOLA CHARGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed April .10, 1948 March 28, 1950 F. H. FONES 2,501,768

CUPOLA CHARGING APPARATUS Filed. April 10, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 Zia/25171 0 1265 March 28, 1950 Filed April 10 1948 F.H.FONE$ CUPOLA CHARGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 4 March 28, 1950 F. H. l -ONES CUP-OLA CHARGING APPARATUS Filed April 10, 1948 6 Sheets-Sheet 5 F. H. FONES CUPOLA CHARGING APPARATUS 6 Sheets-Sheet 6 Filed April 10, 1948 iQlWllHllHll Patented Mar. 28, 1950 CUPOLA GHARGING APP-ARATUS Frank H. Fones, Riverdale; Ill., assignor to Whiting Corporationg fiarvey, Ill.,- a corporation' ot' Illinois Application April 10, 1948, Serial No. 20,312

1 Ingeneral the present invention relates to apparatus for chargingcupolas withop'enings in "the sidesthereof. More particularly the invention relates to that typeof cupola" charging ap- "paratus which, as its principal components or parts, comprises: (1) atrolley which has power actuated hoisting mechanism thereon and is mounted'or supported to'travel back and forth between an operative position wherein the front end thereof "extends'into the cupola through the side openings therein and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from, or whollyex- 'teriorly of, the cupola; and '(2) acy'lindrical bucket which is provided with a verticallymov able ordrop variety cone bottomyembodiesan "outwardlyextendine rim at'the top thereof,has its'bottom operatively" connected to'the hoisting mechanism on the trolley andis adapted'when the trolley is in'its inoperative position tobe lowered by the hoisting mechanism to a loading station and then; after loading; raised, and when the 'trolley is in its operative position-wherein the front end thereof is disposed Within the cupola to have the conebottomloweredsoas' to effect introduction intothe cupola of the material with which the bucket was loaded-at'the loadingstation.

It has heretofore beenproposed toutilize ina cupola charging apparatus of this type a wishbone 'variety or C-shaped support which is mounted'in bucket to the=end-that further actuation of the hoisting mechanism results in loweringordroppingof the 'cone bottom into its open position wherein it permits the material withinthe' bucket "to drop into the cupola. In practice'it' has been found that a wishbone variety supportwhich-ds mounted within the cupola is subject to the objection that, due to high heat conditions within-the 'cupola, it warps to such an extent that it is-n'ot useable for its intended purpose and hence must "-be frequently replaced.

"One object of the invention is toprovide a cupola charging apparatus which is an improvement upon, and eliminates-the objectionsto; previously designed apparatuses, especially those having fixedlymountedwishbone variety bucket receiving supports Withinthe cupolas.

Another object of the invention is to provide a cupola charging apparatus in which the-wishbone variety support is located beneath-and suspended from, the trolley, is mounted to move in a'horizon- -tal plane lengthwise of the trolley and; is adapted,

when the trolley'is'in its inoperative position, to

be shiftedrearwards with respect -to'the" trolley in order to permit of lowering and raising 'off'the bucket and whenthe trolley is in itsoperative 5 position to be shifted forwardswith respect tothe trolley into a position wherein it is operative in connection with initial'lowering actuationof the hoisting mechanism to receive and support the rim at the top of the bucket.

Another object of the-invention is to provide-a cupola charging apparatus of the type andchar- -acter last mentioned in whichthe*tro'1ley has suspended therefrom a" pair of spaced apart; parallel, longitudinally extending; horizontaltracks --and the wishbone variety support is*fixedlyconnected to-a rearwardly "extending =framewhich embodies at the sides thereof uprights with-track engaging wheels at their upper ends.

A further object of the invention is to provide "a c'upolacharging apparatus of the type'and character under consideration in'which the as -sembly of-wishbonevariety support and frame has associated with it motor operated mechanism for shifting it forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a cupola charging apparatus which isgenerally of new and improved construction,-effectively and efficiently'fulfills its intended purpose and embodies-a novel arrangement" of parts.

Other objects of the invention and the various "advantages and characteristics ofthe present cupola charging apparatus-will be apparent from w a' consideration of thefollowing detailed description.

"The inventionconsists' in the several novel-fea- F tures which are hereinafter-set forth and are more particularlydefined by claims at the conclusions hereof.

In the drawings-whichaccompany and form a part of this specification or disclosure and in -which like numerals er reference denote-correspondingparts throughout the severahviews:

Figure 1 is a'sidef elevation of-a cupola charging apparatus embodying'the invention, showing "the "trolley in its inoperative position and a1so show-ing the assembly ofwishbone variety support and frame in its retracted or rearwardly shifted "position wherein it permitsthe buckettoblowered'to, andraisedfrom, the loading stationby the hoisting mechanism on the trolley;

- Figure 2 is a side elevation showing the" trolley in its operative positionand the assembly of-wi'shbone variety support and frame shifted I forwards 5 *so' that the support; infconnection witw initial lowering actuation" of the hoistingmechanism'is in a position to receive and support the rim at the top of the bucket;

Figure 3 is an enlarged side view of the apparatus, certain parts being broken away and other parts being shown in section for purposes of illustration;

Figure 4 is an enlarged plan view of the trolley, illustrating in detail the design and construction of the frame structure of the trolley and the construction and manner of mounting the hoisting mechanism for the bucket;

Figure 5 is a vertical longitudinal section of the assembly of wishbone variety support and frame and the front end or portion of the trolley;

Figure 6 is a horizontal section on the line 6-6 of Figure 5;

Figure '7 is a vertical transverse section on the line l-l of Figure 5;

Figure 8 is an enlarged horizontal section of one of the motor driven wheels on the frame of the assembly of wishbone variety support and frame; and

Figure 9 is a side elevation of the parts that are shown in Figure 8.

The apparatus which is shown in the drawings constitutes the preferred form or embodiment of the invention. It is designed and adapted for use in charging a cupola l6 and comprises a monorail H, a trolley l2, hoisting mechanism l3 on the trolley, a bucket I4, and an assembly IS in the form of a wishbone variety support l6 and a frame [1. The cupola I0 is of standard or conventional construction and embodies in the upper portion of its side an opening l8 whereby the bucket M, in connection with charging of the cupola, may be introduced into, and removed from, the cupola interior.

The monorail ll serves as a medium or instrumentality for supporting the trolley [2 so that it is capable of traveling horizontally to and from the cupola. It extends horizontally and consists of an I-beam l9 and a pair of rails 20. The I-beam is arranged so that the web thereof extends vertically. The rails are disposed in laterally spaced and parallel relation and extend lengthwise of the I-beam l9. They are disposed at opposite sides of the bottom flange of the I-beam and have the webs thereof welded to the side margins of such flange in order that they are in fixed relation with the I-beam. The inner portions of the heads of the rails 20 overlie and rest on the side margins of the bottom flange of the I-beam. The monorail H extends radially with respect to the cupola. It is supported in any suitable manner and has the front or inner end thereof connected to the cupola at a point directly above the side opening l8.

The trolley l2 underlies the monorail H and embodies a horizontally elongated frame structure 2|. monorail H and consists of a pair of laterally spaced side beams 22, a cross beam 23, a pair of crossbeams 24, a pair of crossbeams 25, and a pair of crossbeams 26. The side beams 22 of the frame structure 2! are in the form of channel beams and are arranged so that the webs thereof extend vertically and their flanges project outwards. They are fixedly connected together by the aforementioned crossbeams and have the front ends thereof bent inwards and then outwards in order that the front end of the frame is of less width than the central portion and rear end and is capable of entering the cupola interior through the side opening [8. The crossbeams 23, 24, and 26, like the side beams 22,

The latter extends lengthwise of the are in the form of channel beams and are arranged so that their webs extend vertically. The crossbeam 23 extends between, and has its ends welded to, the extremities of the inwardly and outwardly bent front ends of the side beams. The crossbeams 24' are disposed in parallel and laterally spaced relation. They have their ends welded to the central portions of the side beams 22 and are arranged so that the flanges thereof extend away from one another. The crossbeams 25 are disposed in parallel and laterally spaced relation. They have their ends welded to the rear ends of the side beams 22. Like the crossbeams 24 the crossbeams 25 are arranged so that the flanges thereof project or extend away from one another. The crossbeams 26 are disposed in parallel and laterally spaced relation. They are positioned between the crossbeams 24 and the crossbeams 25 and have their ends welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the side beams 22. In addition to the parts heretofore mentioned the frame structure 2| of the trolley comprises a pair of horizontally extending plates 2? and 28. The plate 2'! underlies and extends across the front ends of the side beams 22 and has its side margins welded to the lower flanges of the side beams. The other plate, i. e., the plate 28, ex-

tends between the rear ends of the side beams 22 and rests on, and is secured to, the upper flanges of the crossbeams 26. A front truck 29 and a rear truck 33 serve so to mount the trolley [2 with respect to the monorail II that it is capable of travelling back and forth between an operative position wherein the front end thereof extends into the cupola l6 through the side opening l8 and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola and overlies a bucket loading station (not shown). The front truck 29 comprises a standard 3| and a tubular bracket 32 and is disposed midway between the central portions of the side bottoms 22 of the trolley frame 2 l. The lower end of the standard 3i is rectangular in cross section and flts between, and is riveted, bolted or otherwise fixedly secured to, the central portions of the crossbeams 24. The lower end of the bracket 32 extends around, and is clamped to, the upper end of the standard 3|. The upper end of the bracket is bifurcated. It is arranged in straddled relation with the lower portion of the monorail II and has at its corners four horizontally extending stub axles 33 which extend transversely of the monorail. The inner ends of the axles overlie the side margins of the bottom flange of the I-beam l9 and support rotatably four wheels 34 which rest on, and are adapted to travel along the heads of, the rails 20 of the monorail. The rear truck 30 is disposed midway between the rear ends of the side beams 22 and consists of a standard 35 and a tubular bracket 36. The lower end of the standard 35 is polygonal in cross sec tion and fits between, and is suitably secured to, the central portions of the webs of the crossbeams 25. The lower end of the bracket 36 of the rear truck extends around, and is clamped to, the upper end of the standard 35 and the upper end of the bracket is bifurcated and straddles the lower portion of the monorail. At its upper corners the bracket 36 of the rear truck is provided with four horizontal, inwardly extending stub axles 31, the inner ends of which overlie the bottom flange of the I-beam l9 and support rotatably four wheels 38. Such wheels rest on, and are adapted to travel along, the heads of the rails 20 of the monorail H. The trolley 12 is .monorail. ..-motor 39 will have associated with the. circuit 1 thereof limit switches .wherebythe trolley when trolley frame structure 2!.

: propelled back =1 and J forth between its, operative and inoperative :positionsbyupower. means in the form of a. reversible electric motor 391 and:- Speed reducing gearing All. The motor 39;: is mounted 'on the rear 3 portion of :the lower end of the g bracket 32 of the front truck 29 and is arranged so that the arn'iature shaft thereof extends hori- .zonta-llyrand also transversely of themonorail. vvAs-best shown in.Figures-;3 and 5, the motor 39 is located directly beneath-lthe monorail II. .The .speed'reducing gearing 4t consists of:a -pulle and belt connection 4!, ahorizontalshafttL-a pair .of pinions i3, and a pair of gears 44. The pulley .and belt connection 4! consists of a pulley on :one end of thewarmatureshaft of the-reversible electric motor 39, a pulley it on; one end of. the

= shaft 52, and an endless belt around the two pulleys.

The shaft 52. is disposed beneath and transversely of the monorail and is suitably The pinions #53 are keyed to the gears Al i. The latter are formed integrallyv with the outer portions of thefront wheelsof the truck 29. When the electric motor 39 is driven;- in one direction it operates through the medium of thespeed reducing gearing t!) to drive in one direction the front wheels of the truck and causes the trolley -l2:to travel in one direction along the monorail l l. -Reverse-drive of the electric motor 39 operatesreversely to drive the front wheels of the truck 2!, and causesthe trolleyto travel in the opposite direction along the It is contemplated that the electric propelled towards the cupola will automatically stop'as soon as it reaches its operative position operative position wherein' it overlies the afore- .mentioned bucket loading'station. f In addition to the parts heretoforementioned the trolley l2 comprises a pair of spaced apart, parallel, longitudinally extending, horizontal tracks d8. These tracks are disposed asmall distance below the trolley frame structure 2! and aresus- :pended therefrom by way of threeI-beams at, -56 and 5!. As shown in the drawings, the tracks l8 are in the form of -I-beams 'whichare-aar- .ranged so that the webs thereof extend vertically and the flanges projectoutwards. :The I-beams 39, 5t and 5! are disposed in parallel, laterally spaced relationand extend transversely of the TheI-beam 491s disposed beneath, and fixedly secured to, the plate The I-beam 5!! is disposed structure 2! and has itsends welded or otherwise connected to the rear. ends of ,thetracks .48. The I-beam 5! is positionedbetween-the .l-beams it and-50. .It-is disposed-beneath, :and .connected to, the reanportion of the plate 1 -and its endssuitably securedxto the central portions .of the tracks 48.

The hoisting mechanism E3 :on the trolley J2 operates to. lower andraise'the bucket i l and consists of ahorizontal rotatably mounted drum 52 and a pair of cables 53. ThedrumliZ overlies the plate .28. and-extends transversely of the trolley framestructure 2!. .It:is located ,between .the front and rear trucks-29 and-136v.

and Y is driven. in :onedirection :or thecother by .power actuated mechanism in vthe: formzofria reversible electric.,motorr54g-anda gear typepspeed reducing unit-:55. :The 1110170151 54 is mounted on the rear portion of the plate '28- and is arranged so that the-armature shaft thereof extendsztransverselyof thetrolley frame-structure. Thespeed -reducing unit 55 is :.mounted on.the,,.p1ate"228 Land. is connected for drive bythe armature-shaft :of. the motor 5 andhas a driven shaft which eextendsthrougnuand is keyed to, the .drumibz. The cables-:53 of ;.the hoisting mechanisrn'ihave :certain ends thereof: anchored-to, and wrapped around, the drum -52. From the drum theccables extend forwards in a horizontal plane and then 3 extend downwards over a pair of coaxial, later- ;ally spaced sheaves:56. The sheaves are mounted on, and keyed to, a horizontally extendingishaft 15?, the ends of which are journalled in bearings 20' I ley frame structure'QZ l a 4,. the shaft: 51 is. disposed directly :rearWarjdst-of on the front ends of the side beams 22 of' thetrol- As best shown in -Fi'gure the 'crossbeam. 23. The free ends of tthelcables -53 depend from the zsheaves-xand :are connected to a horizontall extending rod .58, :fromthe central portion of which .is suspended a :hook

Reverse drive of ::the

The bucket l-d-isxof conventional construction ;.and--embodies asa part thereof a verticallyrmov- "able or drop variety cone bottom Bil. It is cylin- .,drica1 and has at the upper end thereof aifixed outwardly extending annular rimi-Bl. :ameter of'ithe bucket'is materially less than the --internal diameter of the cupola in orderithat The 5dithebucket is capable of being inserted into,..and

removed from, the cupola through the side opening :18. The cone "bottom 60. is "provided at the apex part thereof with an upstanding r'od BZ which extends centrally and longitudinally through-the bucket andhas at its upper end an eye-63 for the hook 59. The central portion :of the rod is slidably mounted in:a pair of, .co-

axial, vertically spaced sleeves-6'4. The latter "are disposed in the central portionof the bucket l and are secured-in place by radially extend- ;ing arms 65, the outer ends of which'are welded or otherwise fixedly secured to the bucket. The :bucket is supported within the cupola by :the

wishbone variety support I5 as hereinafter described. When the hook 59 on the free ends of the cables 53 is lowered in connection with lowering actuation. of the'hoisting mechanism I 3, the bottom =60, as shown in'fulllines in Figure 2, drops downwards into an open position and permits the material'with which theybucket HE is loaded to drop-into the cupola. When the hook 59 is raised the cone bottom 60 moves upwards into its 'closed'position wherein it closes the lower end of the bucket. It is contemplated in connection with a cupola charging operation that the trolley l2 willifirst be propelledinto -its in operative position wherein it overlies, as. hereinbefore described, the loading station. Asisoon as the trolley is in its inoperative position "the bucket is lowered to the station and is then filled. After filling the bucketis raised to a point directly beneath the frontend of the trolley frame structure 2| and thereafter the trolley is'propelledtowards the cupola 1.0- into its operative position.

The assembly 15 consisting of the wishbone variety support and the frame I! is disposed beneath and suspended from the trolley l2. It is of unitary character and is mounted as hereinafter described more in detail to move bodily lengthwise of the trolley. The purpose of the assembly is to support the bucket 14 after shift of the trolley into its operative position wherein the front end of the frame structure thereof is disposed within the cupola. The assembly is shiftable back and forth between an operating position wherein the wishbone variety support l6 directly underlies the front end of the trolley frame structure and is adapted to receive and support the bucket and an inoperative or retracted position wherein the support is disposed rearwards of the front end of the trolley frame structure and permits lowering and raising of the bucket with respect to the loading station. It is contemplated that after the trolley is propelled into its operative position the assembly l will be shifted into its operating position (see Figure 53 of the power actuated hoisting mechanism [3 are initially paid out the bucket 14 moves downwards until it is arrested as the result of its rim 6| being brought into engagement and supported relation with the cutout defining portion of the plate '86. Further paying out of the cables results in the cone bottom 68 moving downwards relatively to the bucket into its open position. The cutout 6'! in the plate 66 constituting the wishbone variety support l6 extends through an arc of slightly more than 180 in order that the bucket when supported by the support I6 is properly supported. The frame ll of the assembly l5 consists of a pair of spaced apart, parallel, horizontal side beams 68, a pair of crossbeams 69 and 10, a pair of front uprights H, and a pair of rear uprights 12. The side beams 68 are in the form of channel beams and are arranged so that the webs thereof extend vertically and their flanges project inwards. They are disposed in parallel relation with the tracks 48 and are slightly less in length than the latter. The plate 66 constituting the wishbone variety support l6 extends across and rests on the front ends of the side beams 68. The side margins of the plate 66 are welded, riveted or otherwise fixedly secured to the front ends of the upper flanges of the side beams 68. The crossbeams B9 and "IE1, like the side beams 68, are in the form of channel beams and are arranged so that the webs thereof extend vertically. The crossbeam 69 extends between, and has its ends fixedly connected to, the central portions of the side beams 68. The upper flange of the crossbeam 69 underlies, and is suitably connected to, the rear margin of the plate 66. The other crossbeam, i. e., the crossbeam 18, extends between, and has its ends fixedly connected to, the rear ends of the crossbeams 68. The uprights 7| and 12 are in the form of channel beams and are arranged so that the flanges thereof project outwards. The lower ends of the front uprights are disposed outwards of, and fixedly connected to, the central portions of the side beams 68 and the lower ends of the rear uprights 12 are disposed outwards of, and are fixedly connected to, the rear ends of said side beams. The upper ends of the front and rear uprights of the frame I! have fixedly connected thereto externally disposed bearing blocks 13 and these carry or support inwardly projecting, horizontal stub axles 14, on the inner ends of which are rotatably mounted wheels 15. The latter rest on, and are adapted to travel along, the lower flanges of the tracks 48 on the under side of the trolley frame structure 2|. The assembly I5 is shifted back and forth between its operating and retracted positions by motor operated mechanism 16 consisting of a reversible electric motor I! and speed reducing gearing 18. The motor 11 is positioned so that the armature shaft thereof extends horizontally and transversely of the tracks 48. It rests on, and is fixedly secured to, an elongated, horizontally extending platform 19 which is located rearwards of the central portions of the rear uprights l2 and has its ends fixedly secured to said portions of the rear uprights by way of vertically extending brackets 80. The speed reducing gearing 18 of the motor operated mechanism 16 consists of a pinion 8|, a gear 82, a horizontal shaft 83, a pair of pinions 84 and a pair of gears 85. The pinion 8| is fixedly connected to one end of the armature shaft of the reversible electric motor 11 and meshes with, and serves to drive, the gear 82. The latter is fixedly mounted on the central portion of the shaft 83. Such shaft is located directly beneath, and extends transversely of, the tracks 48 and has its ends journalled in bearings 86 which are fixedly connected to the upper ends of the rear uprights 12. The pinions 8d are mounted on the shaft 83 directly inwards of the bearings 86 and mesh with, and serve to drive, the gears 85. The latter are formed integrally with the outer ends of the track engaging wheels 15 at the upper ends of the rear uprights 12. When the electric motor 11 is driven in one direction it operates through the medium of the speed reducing gearing 18 to propel the assembly l5 forwards into its operating position wherein, as previously pointed out, the wishbone variety support 16 is disposed under the front end of the trolley frame structure 2|. Reverse drive of the electric motor 1! results in rearward shift or propulsion of the assembly into its retacted position. A pair of outwardly projecting angle brackets 81 on the front ends of the tracks 48 coact with the wheels on the upper ends of the front uprights l! to limit forward sliding movement of the assembly I5 with respect to the trolley and outwardly extending angle brackets 83 on the rear ends of the tracks 48 coact with the wheels at the upper ends of the rear uprights 72 to limit rearward shift of the assembly l5 relatively to the trolley.

A cab 89 for the operator of the cupola charging apparatus is connected to, and depends from, the rear end of the frame structure 2| of the trolley l2. In this cab are mounted suitable controls for the reversible electric motor 54 of the hoisting mechanism 13, the electric motor 38 of the mechanism for propelling the trolley along the monorail I l, and the electric motor 11 of the mechanism 16 for propelling the assembly 15 back and forth with respect to the trolley.

The operation of the apparatus is as follows:

When it is desired to charge the cupola ID the trolley I2 is propelled rearwards until the bucket 9? I 4- oyerliesitheeloadin-g-rstationz. As: soorr: .aszth'ez trolley" stops :the hoisting mechanism: I 31- isi 'ac-:-- tuatedso "astoclowerrthe bucket 1| 4 to the. station; After filling :or loading the bucket "is-raised until the rim at the 'top thereof iswdisposed aboveithez wishbone variety supportil 6: In connection with? lowering'and raising of the'bucket .the assembly I 5 isrretained'rin its-"retracted position: In such position .thersupport l 5 is disposed rearwards 10f? the bucket so" that'iit dDS'.I10t" interfere lowering and raising *of the bucket. After raise ing of the loaded" bucket-to: the front ::end of "the frame structure of 'the trolley the trolley isfl -pro pelled forwards'into its operative position; As soon asthe trolley reaches'suchiposition the aS-U sembly-I Eris I propelled-forwards relatively to the: trolleyinto its z'operatingr-positionr. After the-ass sembly-"reachesfsuch' position the *hoisting-z mech anismnliijs actuated so as'to'pay out thecables' 53'.- In connection .With initial payingtoutof the cables'thebucket" l 4 lowers :until it "isssupported." as the result 'ofthe rim 16! 'beingbrought'to rest: on the cutoutdefining 1 portion ofth'er. plate :6 6 Eurtherpayingbutpf '3 the cables results "in the conebottom droppingintoits openposition' with:

resultant dischar eof the material" into thecupola: After discharge'of thematerial the hoisting 11160113211511'1113 is actuated so asi'to windi'up thecables 53; In'wconnectionwith'initial wind-'- ing of the cables th'ebone bottom'filljsraisezl-into itsiclosedpositionz: In-iconnection with further winding up of the cables the bucket is raised-out of engagementrwith the wishbone variety sup port l6;

The herein' described cupola charging appa r ratus effectively a defiici'ently fulfills tsintendedr purpose and is characterized by the =fact'that the wishbone varietv support 1 E'does not remainat 'all" times in-thecupola,

Whereas the :apparatus has been described as being adaptedtoicharge a cupola his to be understood th at it may be utilized to effect charg ing'of any other metallurgical furnace havingasideopenine'therein. It is also to be understood that the invention is not to be restricted to the details set forth since thesemay be mode ified 'within the scopeoffthe. appended claims without departing from the spirit and scope. of. the invention.

Having. thus. described. theinyention what I.-

claim as new and .desire to. secure by Letters -Patent is:

1. An apparatus adapted-to charge. .a...cup o1ae with. a. sideflopening therein. and: comprising a. trolley mountedito travel backfand forth'be tween an operative positionwherein its front end. extends into the cupola through the side open--- ing, and an inoperative positionwhereinitis disposed away from. the-.cupola, power. actuatedhoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and.

embodying, a... flexible. element. depending from said .front lend. of the.trolley,andiadapted-toebe1 paid out or taken. up in responseto actuation of the mechanism, albucket providedwith aedron. variety cone ,bottom,.having. .its. bottom connected: to the lowerend of thefiexibleelement, and $111+- b'odying an outwardly extending. rim= at the top. thereof, andja. frame located. beneath, and; sus..

pended'from, the trolley, .providedat the front end thereof witha horizontal .wishbone variety support, mounted to move forwards. and, backe wards relatively to.the trolley, and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and thebucket is-fully' raised to be shifted forwards:

into' a position Wh'ereinthe support"is'operative;

I trolley supportedfrom above'to travelihorizon-- tally back andforth between an operative posi'-' tion wherein its front end extends into the cupola through the side opening and an inoperative position wherein it' is disposed away from the cupola, power actuated hoistingmechanism: mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end 'of'the trolley and adapted'to be paid out ortaken-up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a=

bucket provided: with a drop variety cone bot tom, having its bottom connected'to the lower end '-'of the flexible element, andeinbodying an" outwardly" extending continuous rim at the top; thereof,'and'a frame located beneath, and 'suspended from, the trolley; provided at thefrontend thereof with a horizontal wishbone variety support, mounted to move horizontally forwards; and backwards relatively to the trolley, and" adapted when the trolley is in its operative posi-- tion and'the bucket is fully raised 'to be shifted forwards into a position whereinthe support is operative, in connectionwith'initial paying out or the flexible element, toreceive' the rim and support the bucket'and when' the trolley-is in "its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into aretracted position wherein the supportis away-= from thebuck'et and the latter is free to'be 1ow ered and 'raised'by the hoisting mechanism;

3'. An apparatus adapted to charge a cupolawith a side opening therein. and comprising an' elongated 'trolley supported from above to travel" horizontally and longitudinally back and forth between an operative position wherein its'front end'extends into the cupola' through the sideopening'and an inoperative position wherein'it' is disposed away from the cupola, and provided on the underside thereof with horizontal longitudinally extending-track forming means, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley'and embodying a'fiexible element depend ing from said front end of the trolley andadapt'ed to be paid out or taken up'in response to actuation of the-mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom, and having its bottom connected to the lower end'of the flexible element, and a frame located beneath the trolley, providedatthe front end thereof'with a sup-- port, having wheels on the track forming means whereby it is mounted to move forwards'and'. backwards relatively to the-trolley, and'adapte'di when'the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully'raised to be'sl'lifted forwardsinto :a positio'n wherein the support is "operative, in connection-with initial paying out of the flexi hie "element; to support the bucket and when the trolley-is in its inoperative position to beshifted backwards 'intoa retracted position wherein said support is away fromthe-bucket 'and the Iatte'r isfree-to be lowered'and raised by the hoisting' mechanism.

' l.- An apparatus adapted to charge a' cupola" with a side opening therein, and comprising 'an" elongated-trolley moun-ted to travel horizontally and "lengthwise back and "forth between an operative position wherein its" front end-extends intothe cupola through the side opening and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola, and provided on the under side thereof with horizontal longitudinally extending track forming means, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end of the trolley and adapted to be paid out or taken up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom, having its bottom connected to the lower end of the flexible element, and embodying an outwardly extending continuous rim at the top thereof, and a frame located beneath the trolley, provided at the front end thereof with a horizontal wishbone variety support, having wheels onthe track forming means whereby it is mounted to move forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully raised to be shifted forwards into a position wherein the support is operative, in connection with initial paying out of the flexible element to receive the rim and support the bucket and when the trolley is in its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into a retracted position wherein said support is away from the bucket and the latter is free to be lowered and raised by the hoisting mechanism.

5. An apparatus adapted to charge a cupola with a side opening therein, and comprising an elognated trolley mounted to travel horizontally and lengthwise back and forth between an operative position wherein its front end extends into the cupola through the side opening and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola and provided on the under side thereof with a pair of horizontal, parallel, spaced apart. longitudinally extending tracks, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end of the trolley and adapted to be paid out or taken up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom and having its bottom connected to the lower end of the flexible element, and a horizontally elongated frame located beneath the trolley, provided at the front end thereof with a horizontal support, having at the sides thereof uprights with track engaging wheels at their upper ends whereby it is mounted to move forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully raised to be shifted forwards into a position wherein the support is operative, in connection with initial paying out of the flexible element to support the bucket, and when the trolley is in its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into a retracted position wherein said support is away from the bucket and the latter is free to be lowered and raised by the hoisting mechanism.

6. An apparatus adapted to charge a cupola with a side opening therein, and comprising a trolley mounted to travel back and forth between an operative position wherein its front end extends into the cupola through the side opening and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end of the trolley and adapted to be paid out or taken up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom, having its bottom connected to the lower end of the flexible element, and embodying an outwardly extending rim at the top thereof, a frame located beneath, and suspended from, the trolley, provided at the front end thereof with a horizontal wishbone variety support, mounted to move forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley, and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully raised to be shifted forwards into a position wherein the support is operative, in connection with initial paying out of the flexible element, to receive the rim and support the bucket and when the trolley is in its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into a retracted position wherein the support is away from the bucket and the latter is free to be lowered and raised by the hoisting mechanism, and mechanism on the frame for shifting the frame forwards and backwards with respect to the trolley.

7. An apparatus adapted to charge a cupola with a side opening therein, and comprising an elongated trolley mounted to travel horizontally and lengthwise back and forth between an operative position wherein its front end extends into the cupola through the side opening and an inoperati e position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola, and provided on the under side thereof with horizontal longitudinally extending track forming means, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end of the trolley and adapted to be paid out or taken up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom, having its bottom connected to the lower end of the flexible element, and embodying an outwardly extending continuous rim at the top thereof, a frame located beneath the trolley, provided at the front end thereof with a horizontal wishbone variety support, having wheels on the track forming means whereby it is mounted to move forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully raised to be shifted forwards into a position wherein the support is operative, in connection with initial paying out of the flexible element to receive the rim and support the bucket and when the trolley is in its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into a retracted position wherein said support is away from the bucket and the latter is free to be lowered and raised by the hoisting mechanism, and mechanism operative to shift the frame forwards and backwards with respect to the trolley and consisting of a reversible electric motor on the frame and speed reducing gearing between the motor and certain of the wheels.

8. An apparatus adapted to charge a cupola with a side opening therein, and comprising an elongated trolley mounted to travel horizontally and lengthwise back and forth between an operative position wherein its front end extends into the cupola through the side opening and an inoperative position wherein it is disposed away from the cupola and provided on the under side thereof with a pair of horizontal, parallel, spaced apart, lon itudinally extending tracks, power actuated hoisting mechanism mounted on the trolley and embodying a flexible element depending from said front end of the trolley and adapted to be paid out or taken up in response to actuation of the mechanism, a bucket provided with a drop variety cone bottom and having its bottom connected to the lower end of the flexible element, a horizontally elongated frame located beneath the trolley, provided at the front end thereof with a horizontal support, having atthe sides thereof uprights with track engaging wheels at their upper ends whereby it is mounted to move forwards and backwards relatively to the trolley and adapted when the trolley is in its operative position and the bucket is fully raised to be shifted forwards into a position wherein the support is operative, in connection with initial paying out of the flexible element to support the bucket, and when the trolley is in its inoperative position to be shifted backwards into No references cited. 

